How to Add, Format & Remove Titles in Excel (Complete Guideline)

Title in Excel

We will use the following dataset containing the sales report of a company.

What Is a Title in Excel?

A title in Excel provides a clear description or heading for your content, whether it’s a worksheet, chart, or graph. It helps readers interpret and analyze information effectively.

What Are the Types of Title in Excel?

Worksheet Title: Represents the main subject or purpose of an entire worksheet.
Cell Title: Provides additional context or description for specific cells.
Column Title: Describes the data within individual columns.
Row Title: Identifies and categorizes data within each row.
Chart Title: Summarizes information presented in visual charts or graphs.
PivotTable Title: Highlights insights from PivotTables.
Report Title: Captures the main topic in reports or presentations.

What Is the Importance of Titles in Excel?

Data Organization: Titles offer a quick overview, helping you and others understand the data.
Data Interpretation: Well-chosen titles provide essential context about spreadsheet content.
Data Filtering: Titles aid in identifying relevant columns or rows for filtering or sorting large datasets.
Data Sharing: Clear, descriptive titles make it easier for recipients to grasp the data’s purpose.
Documentation and Reference: Titles serve as reference points for future use and quick retrieval.
Presentation and Reporting: Well-crafted titles enhance presentations, capture attention, and add impact.

Inserting a Title

Method 1 – Using the Merge & Center Feature

Select the Merge & Center feature

Our selected cells are now merged.

Merging and centering selected cells

Type Sales Report as the title in the merged cells.

Using Merge & Center feature to insert title in Excel

Notes: Merging cells retains data from the first cell; data from other cells is lost.

Method 2 – Inserting a Title Using the Center Across Selection Command

We have entered a title in cellB2.
Select the range (e.g., B2:H2) and press Ctrl + 1.
In the Format Cells dialog, go to the Alignment tab.
Choose Center Across Selection from the Horizontal drop-down.
Select Center from the Vertical drop-down and click OK.

Selection of Center Across Selection option

Your title is centered without losing data from the selected cells.

Centered the data in the selected cells

Note: By using the Center Across Selection option, you can center the title without losing any data from the selected cells.

Remember, clear titles improve data communication and understanding.

Method 3 – Adding a Title Using Header and Footer Feature

Go to the Insert tab.
Click on Header & Footer in the Text group.
The Header & Footer box appears on the Excel sheet.

Selection of the Header & Footer feature

Appearing Header & Footer tab in the Excel sheet

From the Header & Footer Elements group, choose File Name and Sheet Name with a space.

Select File Name and Sheet Name features

Move your cursor to any other cell to see the title.

Create a title with the workbook and sheet name

Method 4 – Adding Page Numbers, Dates, or Other Text

Select Header.
Go to the Header & Footer tab.
Under Header & Footer Elements, choose Page Number.

Inserting header title

Click here to enlarge the image

Move your cursor to any cell to display the page number.

Getting header title

Formatting the Title in Excel

Method 1 – Using the Font Group

Select the title of the data table.
Go to the Home tab.
Choose the Font group.
Format the title (e.g., change font color, size, style).

Use Font group to format title

Method 2 – Using Cell Styles

Select the title.
Go to the Home tab.
Choose the Font group.
Select the Cell Styles drop-down list.
Choose Heading 1 from the Title and Heading option.

Selection of the Heading 1 option to format title in Excel

Click here to enlarge the image

Method 3 – Editing the Header & Footer Title

Go to the Page Layout tab.
Click the arrow in the bottom-right corner.
In the Page Setup dialog, choose Custom Header from the Header/Footer tab.

Selection of the Custom Header option

Insert Sales Report in the center section.
Click OK twice.

Inserting Sales Report in Center section typing box

You will see the Sales Report as the header.

Using Page Setup dialog box to Insert center header title

Following the above process, you can edit the header title as you want.

Titling a Column in Excel

Typing Order No in the Formula Bar

Repeat for other columns (e.g., Order Date, Customer Name).

Adding column titles for the rest of the columns

Formatting Column Titles:

Select the range B4:H4.
Go to the Home tab.
Use the Font group to make text bold, italic, or change colors.

Using Font group to format title columns

Align the titles using Center and Middle Align from the Alignment group.

Apply Alignment group to format title columns

Removing a Title in Excel

Removing title in Excel

Alternatively, select the title and press Delete.

How to Add a Title in an Excel Chart

Method 1 – Adding and Formatting Chart Titles

Click anywhere on the chart.
Three buttons should appear to the right of your chart.
Click on the Chart Elements button (the one with a ‘+’ icon).
Check the checkbox next to Chart Title.
Enter your desired title (e.g., Customer vs Sub Total).

Add Title in Excel chart

To format the chart title:
- Select the chart title.
- Go to the Home tab.
- Use the Font group for bold, italic, and color formatting.
- Modify alignment using the Alignment group.
Method 2 – Creating a Dynamic Chart Title
- Select the chart title.
- Go to the Formula Bar.
- Enter an equal sign (=) and select any cell (e.g., $H$4) to create a link.
- Verify that the chart title updates dynamically when the linked cell changes (e.g., changing Sub Total to Total).
Method 3 – Adding Axis Titles
- Select the chart.
- Click the ‘+’ symbol at the top-right corner of the chart.
- Check the Axis Titles option from Chart Elements.
- Set the horizontal axis title as Customer Name and the vertical axis title as Sub Total.
Removing Chart or Axis Titles
- Uncheck the Chart Title & Axis Titles option from the Chart Elements group.
Freezing Titles in Excel
- Select the cell below the title (e.g., A3).
- Go to the View tab.
- Choose Window >Freeze Panes.
Your title remains visible during scrolling.

To unfreeze the titles, go back to the Freeze Panes dropdown menu and select Unfreeze Panes.

Hiding Titles
- Choose the View tab.
- Click on Workbook Views and select Normal.
- By default, titles within rows and columns are visible.
- Minimize row height by dragging the mouse upward below Row 2 to hide the title.
Download the Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here:

Things to Remember
- Remember to save your spreadsheet after adding titles.
- Explore additional features like Data Labels and Legends in the Chart Elements section.
- You can also use the Alignment and Font groups from the Home tab to further format your titles.
Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a picture or image as the title in Excel?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly add a picture or image as a title in Excel. However, you can create a separate text box or shape and insert an image into it. Position it near the title area to achieve a similar effect.

Is there any character limit for the title in Excel?

Yes, there is a character limit for titles in Excel. The maximum length for a title is 255 characters, including spaces and special characters.

Can I use a formula as a title in Excel?

You can use a formula as a title in Excel. Follow these steps:
- Create the desired formula in a cell.
- If you want to display the formula result as a title, copy the formula cell.
- Right-click the destination cell where you want the title.
- Choose “Paste Values” to convert the formula result into a static title.
Title in Excel: Knowledge Hub
- Make a Title in Excel
- Center a Title
- Merge And Center a Title
- Add a Title to a Table
- Insert Subtitle in Excel